Image source: Fitbit

Fitbit Versa users reporting heart rate tracking issues, here’s the fix

A number people are reporting their Fitbit Versa is no longer tracking heart rate (HR). The thread on the Fitbit Community forum discussing the issue has grown to more than 200 replies in the past few weeks.

Essential readingTop fitness trackers and health gadgets

The problem started appearing in early February. Users are reporting that the lights below on the sensor don’t flash and HR is no longer registering on the watch or the app. Some users are also experiencing issues with sleep not being recorded.

According to one of the Fitbit Community moderators, users who are experiencing this problem should give their watch a restart. This is done by pressing and holding the left and right lower buttons together until you see the Fitbit logo. This should take about 10 seconds. Release the buttons and the watch should restart.

Moderators also suggest charging the battery to full capacity. This is because HR tracking problem may appear if its battery is critically low as the sensor may switch off automatically.

To make sure you have all the bases covered, double-check that you have Heart Rate turned “On”. On your Versa’s home display, swipe form right to the left until you see “Settings” and press it. Scroll down untill you see Heart Rate and make sure its enabled.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, its worth doing a few resets and toggles. Three seems like a number that has worked for some.

The instructions above have helped a number of users resolve the issue. If you’ve done the above and your watch is still not recording HR, Fitbit’s Customer Support team may be able to help. Hopefully the company will issue a permanent fix soon.

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Marko Maslakovic

Marko founded Gadgets & Wearables in 2014, having worked for more than 15 years in the City of London’s financial district. Since then, he has led the company’s charge to become a leading information source on health and fitness gadgets and wearables.

49 thoughts on “Fitbit Versa users reporting heart rate tracking issues, here’s the fix

  • It’s not resolved. Resetting it works for a few days, then it does it all over again.

    Reply
    • The problem is likely due to battery issues. My fitbit battery started draining very quickly, and so the heart rate monitor does not turn on due to low battery. Battery fails fully recharge, this has been a problem with rechargeable batteries as long as I can remember.

      Reply
  • All that didn’t work. They tried to fix it remotely and ended up having to replace the pebble. I find that when I workout and sweat, the HRM stops working even with the replacement pebble. That puzzles me for a device that is supposed to be waterproof and designed for working out.

    Reply
    • Crap piece of equipment considering the cost.

      Reply
  • My heart rate monitor died after I had accidentally let the battery go all the way to zero. I’ve charged it and tried to reset it several times, and nothing has happened.

    Reply
    • Same thing is happening to me now.

      Reply
    • I don’t have a left and right button. Only a left button.

      Reply
  • I fixed the issue. Bought an Apple Watch. Works great.

    Reply
    • That’s what I’m going to do. Nothing else works for this damn issue. This heart rate feature has been broken for a year now.

      Reply
    • My Fitbit versa won’t display my heart rate.. please help me fix it

      Reply
      • Heart rate is stuck. Every time I take off the versa is doesn’t show 0 and stays on 78. I have to keep resetting it. Very annoying

        Reply
  • My Fitbit Vera’s is not recording heart rate properly. Reads extremely high and doesn’t record sleep at all. I’ve done all troubles with company resets etc. I’ve also done the recent update.
    now they say it’s a software issue they’re working on and sorry. That’s it.
    Anyone else have this problem?

    Reply
    • I am having the exact same issue and have been told to patient as their engineers are working on it.
      This issue has been ongoing for some customers since 2018, however is still being resolved.

      Fitbit is also refusing to replace my device.
      It’s terribly annoying and upsetting

      Reply
      • It’s a nightmare, the guidelines on the app isn’t the best to follow either, it was working fine and then all of a sudden it’s stopped. Everything else on the Fitbit is fine.

        Reply
        • My heart rate monitor has stopped working on versa 2. Have turned watch on/off, heart rate is on in settings. Help.
          Thanks

          Reply
    • Yes. Many people are reporting this issue.

      Reply
    • Yeah. Of course we have this problem because we spend the money on it 👍

      Reply
    • Yes mine just started recording high and low

      Reply
    • Yes, my tracker stopped counting my heart rate. I think it happened when I downloaded the last update. It’s frustrating because all the toggles and restarts they recommend don’t work. I’ll have to call customer support.

      Reply
  • I had the same problem. My battery died last night and now my heart rate monitor doesn’t work. I called Fitbit support, and they were very helpful. They are sending out a replacement for me. I am very happy with the customer service I received.

    Reply
  • Lesson is DON’T BUY FITBIT

    Reply
  • Same issue. Tried reset and all but nothing is working. Please don’t buy Fitbit

    Reply
  • Same issue here. Called fitbit, they offered a coupon for 35% a new watch. IDK…don’t think I want a temporary fitness tracker. I’ll be buying another brand.

    Reply
    • Ditto, same here. What a disappointment.

      Reply
  • Brand new versatile out of the box and the heart rate monitor isn’t working at all. I’ve tried all of the suggested troubleshooting and nothing. I will be returning it and buying a different brand.

    Reply
  • My Versa display started going bad less than a year old. When it was almost two years old, I started having battery charging, heart rate tracking, and sleep tracking problems. Cleaning the contacts on watch and pins on charger helps battery issue after giving up on it 4 months ago. Decided to give it another whirl before switching to Apple Watch. But I have reset the thing several times, force quit the app, turn blue tooth on and off, but heart rate tracker no longer works. Help me make my decision before the Black Friday sales end. Are the Versa 2 and Versa 3 improved over the Versa? It would take a huge discount for me to want to give Fitbit another chance.

    Reply
  • I swear fitbit has a kill switch to get you to keep buying! With 35 percent off of course. This is my 3rd device. Not happy!

    Reply
  • I am over spending this kind of money on a watch, I also am having issues with the LED lights, no heart rate, no sleep rate. I may be definitely looking into the Samsung or Apple Watch, this is a lot of money to spend and not have it work properly or get the help you need, or a place to take it to, to get it fixed.

    Reply
  • Hi
    My Fitbit does no record heart rates or sleep.
    Followed instructions but no success.
    Find it very annoying and an incredible,inconvenience.
    Junk

    Reply
    • Yep mine is doing the same thing

      Reply
  • Mine is doing exactly the same. Nothing I’ve tried will fix it. I’d say it’s working around 10% of the time. I’ve got a replacement coming so if this one doesn’t work, guess I’ll be looking at an Apple Watch!

    Reply
  • I’m having the same problem – won’t record my heart rate. Looking into purchasing either an Apple Watch or Garmin. Deffo would not recommend a FItbit.

    Reply
    • Mine is doing the same thing

      Reply
    • I’m having the same problem with no light on my bpm heart. I really do miss it as well!! I really liked the watch which is the reason I decided to buy it in the first place. I also got my Husband one as he liked mine. They are not cheap watches..just a pity they don’t work right!!!

      Reply
  • I actually found the executive emails for fitbit and sent them an email about the problem. I am letting people know this might be the way to finally get them to pay attention to this issue. Let me know if you want to email them.

    Reply
    • I would love those emails! If this can’t be fixed, I’ll move to Apple. 🙂 TIA!

      Reply
    • I would love the email address as well. I am on my 2nd Fitbit in 2 years and the best advice they can offer me for my issues with both watches (both of which were known issues – heartrate tracking failure) is a discount on another watch. I’m definitely not interested in experiencing another failed attempt.

      Reply
    • I’ve just bought my watch two days ago and have tried everything to try a fix the heart rate monitor, nothing…. really annoyed!! Could I please have the email address…..
      Thanks..
      John.

      Reply
  • My versa two heart rate stopped after charging. Went to settings it was on , so I toggled it off, and on again and it worked. Not happy with product it should not do that because it’s new.

    Reply
  • My versa has also suddenly stopped recording heart rate. No lights on the back. Tried every fix going. Very annoyed as I have a heart condition and use this to monitor during exertion/rest.

    Reply
  • I have tried all the steps and my Fitbit still doing the same this.

    Reply
  • +1. Fitbit worked great for exactly 1 year. Purchased in January 2020 and then in February 2021 after the warranty has expired, won’t track heart rate anymore. I do the toggle and reset and then I might get a day or two of heart rate tracking. Then stops again. Soooo frustrating. Fitbit = junk. Going to Garmin or Apple.

    Reply
    • I just reset my versa fit bit several times. Did all the above and nothing no heart rate. My fibit isn’t even a year old yet. My first fitbit lasted 2 years and then it died completely. Not sure if I will buy another fitbit. Not cool have to look for another brand

      Reply
  • I have all the same issues as mentioned above. I did a factory reset and it doesn’t pick up the heart rate at all and it lags behind on the steps. I won’t be purchasing another fitbit. I am tired of cheap products marketed as high quality with high price tags only to turn out to be cheap and end up in our landfills.

    Reply
  • Fit bit versa worked great for a year then lots of issues .. not turning on , not recording properly and no heart rate . I tried all the fixes but to no avail , so tired of the problems .
    My solution was to buy an Apple Watch 😳

    Reply
  • Could it be from the updates? Mine stopped working after the most recent update (writing this 4/14/22.)

    Reply
  • Suddenly no sleep mode and now no heart rate display – rebooted x3 still nothing

    Reply
  • This watch stinks. I think it’s timed to self-destruct to make you buy a new one. Ever since the recent update, it will not track my heart rate or SPO2. I’ve tried all the troubleshooting tips without success.

    Reply

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